Literature Club

By the time I reached the door to the math classroom, the hallways were mostly empty. I opened the door and let out a sigh of relief.

My textbook was still in the same spot.

After retrieving it and securely tucking it away in my backpack, I was about to go back down the stairs.

But I heard a soft sigh.

I peeked inside one of the nearby classrooms to see... Monika.

She was slouched over the teacher's desk, holding up her chin with one hand.

"Maybe this was a mistake..."

Monika's eyes seemed a little lost, as though they had lost their color. A small pout was on her face, which differed greatly from the confident smile she usually had.

My heart ached.

...I've never seen Monika like this before.

She always seemed like she had everything together. I unconsciously took a step forward.

"M-Monika?"

Monika's eyes fluttered, she stood up and looked at me with surprise.

"Ah, Sayori! What are you doing here?"

I lightly pressed the tips of my index fingers together.

"Ehehe... I just noticed you were here."

Monika cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Yes, we still do have to arrange that study session later."

I nodded with a smile on my face.

"Y-Yeah! I can't believe you remembered!"

Monika giggled.

"It was just this morning, how would I forget that fast?"

I looked away bashfully.

"Ah, it's because I'm really used to forgetting things! I'm kind of an airhead."

Monika let out a soft sigh.

"I'm sure you are very bright Sayori, it just might be the fact you don't realize it."

I smiled happily.

"Hehe, Monika thinks so highly of me!"

It was then I remembered that Monika was sighing earlier. I tilted my head to the side and looked at her with a bit of concern.

"Why are you here anyways?"

Monika seemed a little unprepared for this question as instead of answering immediately, she spent some time silently lamenting.

"I made a club."

I gasped.

"Eeeeh? But weren't you part of the debate club? You were even like the vice-president or something."

Monika chuckled and poked me lightly on the tip of the nose.

"And how do you know all of that?"

I quickly covered my nose, with both hands, hovering just above the skin. My thoughts were a little chaotic, so my response was a little strange.

"Em... I-I just... sometimes-"

"Haha, never mind."

Monika waved her hand dismissively. She looked off towards the empty seats in the classroom with a bit of melancholy.

"Perhaps it was a little silly for me to make this a literature club."

I gasped.

"Eh? Why is that? I'm sure the club would be super fun!"

Monika shook her head.

"Not many people are willing to join such a new club, not to mention one about something that seems so bland."

I brought my arms in front of me and held them close.

"Um, how many people have joined?"

Monika put an elbow on the desk and rested her hand on her chin.

"Unfortunately, I am the only one in this club."

I was too afraid to say anything.

Monika smiled sadly.

"Ahaha, I look like quite the disappointment, don't I?"

I clenched my hands and brought them to the front of my chest.

"Ehhhhh?"

My eyes were wide open.

"Monika is never a disappointment! No matter what!"

Monika's expression softened.

"Haha, if only that was true..."

Without thinking, I grabbed Monika's wrist with both hands.

"It is true! It will always be true!"

A sweet smile formed on Monika's face.

"I still really don't think it's true but..."

She brought her face a little closer while her bright green eyes looked deeply into mine.

"If you say so, then I will try to believe it."

I couldn't breathe. Monika looked so breathtaking, that I literally couldn't!

The sudden passion that overtook me earlier gradually left. Once it did, the situation I was in became a little clearer.

I was holding onto Monika's wrist with both hands, feeling her gentle skin, like a meadow of flowers. As for Monika herself, she was quite close.

I began to blush furiously, unable to keep my composure.

"Sorry!"

I hurriedly let go of Monika and took a few steps back, putting my hands securely behind my back, as though I wanted to keep them in check.

In response, Monika laughed melodiously.

"What are you apologizing for?"

I stammered.

"Um... eh..."

Monika let out a soft sigh.

"Anyways, you really cheered me up."

She smiled confidently, losing the dreary air she had earlier.

"Thank you, Sayori."

I got butterflies in my stomach. I looked to the side, too afraid to make eye contact.

"O-Of course!"

Monika looked towards the empty classroom and tilted her head to the side a little helplessly.

"I guess I should change the club to something else. But I really did want to explore literature a little more with other people."

She took a deep breath.

"It looks like there's no helping it."

I clasped my hands together as an anxious expression formed on my face.

"But if you want to make a literature club because it will make you happy, then you should do it!"

Monika shrugged her shoulders, resigned to her fate.

"But that is on the basis I can form the club in the first place. If there isn't even one other member then what's the point?"

I raised my hand high into the air with a big smile.

"Then I will join the literature club!"

Monika laughed.

"There's no need to force yourself for my sake."

I took a step closer to Monika and clenched my fists in excitement.

"But I really do want to do literature things! They can be super fun, I'm sure."

Monika stared at me silently for a moment before smiling warmly.

"Then that settles it. Today is the very first day of the literature club!"